Attachable vehicle-spring



E. R. RITTER.

ATTACHABLEIVEHICLE SPRING. APPLICATION FILED nec. 26. I9I9.

Patentd Aug. 16, 1921.

Inn/en fr torney.

UNITED STATES ELMER R. RITTER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ATTACHABLE VEHICLE-SPRING.

Application led December 26, 1919.

vTo f/.ZZ `itz/omi it may concern:

Bc it known that I, ELMER R. RITTER, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State ot Ohio, have invented a certain new and uset'ul Attachable Vehicle-Spring, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to road-vehicle springs, and more especially to motor-vehicle springs: that herein shown being especially applicable to motor vehicles ot a certain kind which are in use in very large numbers throughout the country.

The object ot my invention is to provide that kind ot vehicle, or any other kind of vehicle wherein the same conditions are en countered, with more effective cushioning means than is constituted by the spring with which such vehicles are regularly equipped.

A `further objectis to provide this improved equipment at the front of the vehicle in such a way that effectively acting means ot this kind will not interefere with the turning of the front wheels or disrupt or hinder the operation of any of the other regularly supplied devices on the front of the vehicle.

Another object is to make it very easy to apply such a spring equipment to such of these vehicles as are in use, so that the driver, owner, or other person concerned, even without much mechanical skill or the use of any but the simplest tools, may quickly and inexpensively provide for these added advantages in a vehicle of the kind alluded to, or in other vehicles wherein similar conditions prevail and the construction permits ot' the. use of the invent-ion in substantially the arrangement shown herein.

Other objects will appear in the course ot theV ensuing description.

I attain the mentioned objects by the device illustrated, for example. in the accompanying drawing. in which- Fizure l is a general perspective view of the front part ot a vehicle of the kind hereinbetore alluded to, with an embodiment ot my invention applied thereto, the front wheel at the near side being omitted to better reveal the construction of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the h alfoolster;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 16', 1921.

Serial No. 347,534.

Fig. 3 is a similar view ot the anchorplate;

Fig. et is a similar view of one ot the U- bolts;

Fig. 5 is a similar view ot one of the clips;

Fig. 6 is a partial vertical longitudinal section on a plane corresponding to the line 6 6 of Fig l, further illustratingthe bolster-and-spring connection; and

Fig. 7 is a similar section on a plane corresponding to the line 77 ot Fig. l, further illustrating the aXle-and-spring connection.

As I prefer to construct my invention. there is a halt-bolster l, comprising a head 2 from which it has a moderate curve to a foot 3; being shaped to conform to the under or inner side of the front bolster: of the vehicle, which, as regularlyprovided on the kind ot vehicles before alluded to, is a channel, opening downwardly. bent up in both directions from its middle, and having short straight projections 5 past the vehicle-radiator sides where it is attached to the side trame-bars of the vehicle. Ordinarily, this vehicle has only a halt-elliptic spring cross-wise at the front. with its top inside the middle part oi this channel-shaped bolster 4t, wherein it is held by the clips or U-bolts 6 that also clamp to the top ot this bolster the bearingblock 7 that receives the front end ot the vehicle-engine shaft for the application of the starting device.

In applying my invention, the regular half-elliptic spring is removed from this channel, and its ends are disconnected trom the pedestals S to which they are regularly linked, and which have studs projecting down through the vehicle-axle 9 near opposite ends thereof. There this spring is rcmoved from the channel 4. my hal'lbolsters 1 are inserted inside the channel. each with its foot 3 clipped by the U-bolt 6 at the re.- spective side of the bearing block 7, so that these U-bolts occupy the same positions that they originally did. Thus secured at the middle of the vehicle, the halt-holsters i project along inside the channel 4.. with their curved parts lying closely up against the inner or under side of this channel, and with their heads 2 projecting past the ends ot the channel at the opposite sides of the vehicle, their short, straight necks 2, that connect the heads to the curved parte, lying in pedestals 8 project below the axle 9, they are utilized to anchor the lowei` springattachment to the axle; although I prefer not to use these as the direct means oi attachment for the spring. I prefer to make the lower direct connection between the spring and the axle some distance inward from the respective pedestal 8, but, by virtue of the anchorage afforded by the pedestal, to avoid drilling or otherwise marring or weakening the axle.

As herein shown, this lower connection comprises the anchor-plate 16, which is substantially flat, with a main part 17 that lies from front toirear under the axle 9 with a pair of ears 18 at each end, having holes 1 9 down through them, and with an extension 20at the outer edge of this main part 17, having an opening 21 down through it to receive the lower projection of the pedestal 8 therethrough when the nut thereof is removed therefrom; this nut being again screwed inplace below the anchor-plate extension. This secures the anchor-plate soV that it cannot slip edgewise on the axle.

The springs22 are 'full-elliptic, of full depth in proportion to the length; it being understood that these may be `oli any apn` proved design and dimensions, to properly support and cushion the front end or' the vehicle-body, as is well known in the' art.

These springs 22 have their tops 23 up against the under sides of the respectivo half-bolster heads 2 atthe opposite sides of the vehicle, and clips or U-bolts 24 straddle these tops at front and rear of the head 2,l

with their transverse members engagingv the lower sides of the spring-tops 23 and thet legs of the bolts projecting up through the holes or openings 14 in the ears 13 of the.

heads 2, down upon which are screwed the nuts 25. Thus, these springs 22 are firmly secured to the vehicle body at their tops.

The bottoms 26 of the springs 22 pass un- 'l der the axle 9, being slipped thereon while the adjacent vehicle wheel is removed, so that the upper sides of these spring-bottoms 26 bear up against the lower surfaces of the respective anchor-plates 16, from front end i to rear end of the main `part 17.

Each lower attachment also comprises pair of straps 27, each of U-shape in its `the side of they vehicle-frame. tributes to strengthl combined with lightness spective hole 19 in an anchor-plate ear 18.

Clips or U-bolts 30 straddle the spring-bot toms 26 at front and rear oi' the axle 9, in

each lower attachment, with their transverse members engaging the lower sides of these spring-bottoms and the legs oi' the bolts projecting up through rthe registering holes or openings 19 and 29 in theears and lips, down upon the4 latter of which are screwed the nuts 31; This irmly secures the springs 22 to the vehicle-axle at their bottoms.

By utilizing the embracing and clamping function oi the clips, straps or U-bolts, together with the anchoring function, as represented by the pedestal connection `8 at the bottom, and by the lamp-pedestalsbolt connection 12 at the top, there is an entire avoidance ot'drilling or tapping any holes in the regular vehicle parts, or of otherwise cutting, marring or weakening any of these parts, in all of which ample strength is very important. Also, these anchorages function as gages' by which the spring-connections are located so as to attach the Vsprings 22 in correct upright positions. The considerable lateral extension, of the half-bolster 1 at the top, and ot the anchor-plate 1G at the bottom, together with the firm attachment of these parts remote'from the respective spring-clamping elements, insures ample rigidity oit the` connections laterally, to rcsist side thrusts of the vehicle chassis and body relatively to each other.; the accomplishment ot this result being very simple, in the absence ot any drilling, tapping or other special operation on the regular vehicle-parts.

Moreovcigthe under-slung attachment oi the springs 22 tothe axle 9 permits the entire equipment rto be located lower inthe vehicle structure, avoiding any cumbersome and'v unsightly extension thereof above the iframe elements at the top and at the same time having the -liull-elliptical spring o1 ample depth to afford therequisite cushioning effect. Also, the location of the equipment some distance inward from the available attaching rneans constituted by the pcd` estal 8 on the'axle 9., removes all restriction on the length oi' the spring beca-use it is i'ar removed from'the range of swinging oi the front vehicle-wheels and also avoids undue projection of the top attaching means iroin This conand neatness of appearance at the top connection, and the ample length permitted m the springs 1s another factor in the interest of effectiveness of cushioning action of these.

It will t-hus be seen that my invention ad'ords a decided improvement in the operation of the vehicle without weakening any part and with no detraction trom the appearance; and. notwithstanding the advantages thus derived, the simplicity ot construction permits of these at a cost that is proportionate to the value ot the vehicles of this malte for which it is especially intended. Also, the simplicity7 ot installation permits any person of ordinary mechanical skill to readily install the springs on cars ot' the make alluded to` with the need ot' no tools except a suitable Wrench to turn the several nuts that must be unscreived or screwed in place in making the required substitutions and attachments. Xo measurements or nice adjustments are necessary, and opportunity for error in the vvorl; of installation is practically eliminated.

This invention is especiallyv intended for the Widely used vehicles mentioned, but it may be adapted for other kinds of vehicles, and modilications thereof may occur under these or other varying conditions. and theretore, ivhile certain constructional details are deemed preferable in connection ivith my invention, and I have shoivn and described these rather specifically in elucidating the construction and use ot' my invention, as is required, I do not Wish to be understood as being limited to suc-h precise showing and description, but having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as neiv and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with a full-elliptical vvehicle-spring, a bolster element having a foot to tit in a channeled vehicle bolster, to be clamped therein by a clip straddling said vehicle bolster, and comprising a head lying against the upper side ot' the top ot said spring. a clip straddling the top opt said spring and secured to said head tor holding said spring top to said head, and means for securing the bottom ot said spring to the under side ot a vehicle axle.

Q. In combination ivith a` full-elliptical vehicle-spring, means for attaching the top ot said spring to a vehicle body, an anchorplate having a lateral extension with an .pening, to lie against the under side of a vehicle axle with said extension receiving anchoring means through its opening, a clip to straddle said axle, and a clip to straddle said spring bottom. said clips being secured to said anchor-plate. for holding said spring bottoni to said anchor-plate and holding said anchor-plate to said axle.

3. An attaching device for a vehiclespring comprising an element with engaging' means and an extension having an opening to receive anchorino' means, a clip to straddle a vehicle axle, and a clip to straddle a vehicle-spring part, said clips being secured together and to said eng holding said element anc said spring aart to said axle.

al. n attaching device tor a vehiclespiing comprising an element ivith a main part naving opposite pairs of openings and a lateral extension having an opening to receive anchoring means, a pair oit clips to sti-addio a vehicle axle, with lips having openings registering .vith respective ones ol the openings in s...id element, and a pair ot clips to straddle a vehicle-spring part, vvith members extending through the respective registering openings oil said .lips and said element. 'for holding said element and said spring part to said axle.

5. in combination with a toll-elliptical ve nele-spring, ineens Ytor attaching the top .li 'i 'to fi vehicle body, an anchora a lateral cvtension with an pening. to lie against the under side ot a chicle axle \.'i.h said extension receiving .nchoring means through its opening, and having` a loner bearing parQA extended lroni opposite sides ol' said anchor-plate to lit down upon the upper side ol' the bottoni ol said spi-ini' and ineans tor holding said spi-ing bot' AVid anchor-ilalate.

(l. ln ion with a 'Full-elliptical aging means, Ylor openingr lo lie vehicle axle vwith said extension receiving anchoring ineens through its opening, and having a lower hearing part extended from opposite sides of said anchor-plate to lit dovvn non the upper side of.' the bottom et g, and a clip straddling the bottom u spring and secured to said anchor plate. `for holding said spring bottom to said anchor-plate.

'i'. An attaching device i'or a vehicle-spring comprising an clement with engaging means and an extension having an opening to receive anchor 'r means, and having .its under side extended in opposite directions to lie along a respective part oi the vehicle spring, and curved on its lower side to tit the top oi the spring part. and means to cniln'ace the spring part and engage `with said engaging means. for holding said element and said spring part together.

8. .in attachingdcvice tera vehicle spring comprising a holster element adapted to i'it in a channeled ".ehiclc bolster and to extend out past one end orp said channeled bolster with its inner end extending not quite to a point midvay of the length of said channel, and having a `toot near said inner end with its loiver side notched to receive the transverse part of a clip embracing the bolster element and the channeled bolster, whereby said bolster element is anchored by said clip,

and means for attaching the outwardly extending part of said bolster element to the top of a vehicle spring.

9. An attaching device vfor a vehicle spring comprising a bolster element adapted to lit in a channeled vehicle bolster and to extend out past one end of said channeled bolster with its inner end extending not quite to a point midway of the length of said channel, and having a foot near said inner end with its lower side notched to receive the transverse part of a clip embracing the bolster element and the channeled bolster, whereby said bolster element is anchored by said clip, and said outwardly extending part having a lower bearing surface extended in opposite directions to lie along the top of the vehicle spring, and curved to lit the top of the spring part, and means to embrace the spring part and engage with said outwardly extending part, for holding said bolster element and said spring together. t

10. In combination with a full-elliptical vehicle-spring a bolster element adapted to fit in a channeled vehicle bolster and to exbolster with its inn er end extending not quite toa point midway of the length of said channel, and having a foot near said inner.

end with its lower side notched to receive the transverse part oi a clip embracing the bolster eleinent and the channeled bolster, whereby said bolster element is anchored by said clip, and said outwardly extending part having a lower bearing surface extended in opposite directions to lie along the top of the vehicle spring, and curved to t the top of the spring part, nieans to embrace the spring part and engage with said outwardly extending part, for holding said bolster element and said spring together, an anchorplate having a lateral extension with an opening, to lie against the under side of the vehicle axle with said extension receiving anchoring means through its opening, and hav ing a lower bearing surface extended from opposite sides otl said anchor-plater to lie along the upper side of' the bottom of said spring, and curved to fit said upper side, and a clip straddling the, bottoni oit' said spring and secured to said anchor plate, for holding said spring bottone to said anchor plate.

ELMER R. RITTER. 

